Man Utd v West Ham predictions: Hosts look far from nailed on against Hammers

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v West Ham in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 4.15pm Sunday

Best bet

West Ham draw no bet
1pt 13-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

Team news

Man Utd
Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are out. Harry Maguire is pushing to start.

West Ham
Lucas Paqueta is out, Jarrod Bowen is a doubt. Maxwel Cornet and Craig Dawson are still missing.

Match preview

European flagbearers Manchester United and West Ham look to continue their improved form at Old Trafford where a tight affair is expected.

Former Red Devils boss David Moyes has got a tune out of the Irons in October, virtually matching the progress Erik ten Hag is making with his former club.

Man United have won five, drawn two and lost one of their eight games this month while West Ham have registered six wins, one draw and a solitary loss.

These are two teams heading in the right direction after disappointing starts to the season and, as with most contests between these two, don’t go expecting goals.

The hosts did the double over West Ham last term but both games were one-goal successes with the Hammers turning the tables on the Manchester men in the League Cup.

West Ham haven't won at Old Trafford in the league since 2007, but they ought to fancy their chances this time. Given how little there is between them in terms of form figures, take a chance on the visitors in the draw-no-bet market.

West Ham look a lot more solid right now with Moyes erring towards a back five, the pace and extra cover at wing-back critical in stemming a side like United who like to raid down the flanks.

Two clean sheets in a week against modest opposition in Bournemouth and Silkeborg won't get the visitors carried away, but every bit as impressive was the organisation in their previous game, a 1-0 loss at Liverpool where they were coming on strong.

The home United have kept four clean sheets in their last five and the only goal they conceded in those five games was a Jorginho penalty for Chelsea in last week's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

It has been a tough run of league games for Ten Hag's team – in the last 28 days they've been to Man City, Everton and Chelsea and played Newcastle and Tottenham at home – and like most of the top sides they could probably do with a break.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had one, the 37-year-old having been axed at Stamford Bridge last week, and he looked lively alongside Marcus Rashford in Thursday's 3-0 win over a very limited Sheriff.

It's entirely possible that Ten Hag will play the pair from the start, especially as Jadon Sancho continues to underperform.

West Ham are growing as a threat as the season has developed and boast a midfield led by Declan Rice which can match up to Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. In a game where there's probably not a lot between them, the Londoners look a spot of value.